Open to scholars, Young Leaders, Early-career researchers, and Civil Society Practitioners in Thailand.
The Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD), of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University and Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) are pleased to announce the Transitional Justice Fellowship 2026, a unique opportunity to develop your research skills, deepen knowledge on Transitional Justice, and contribute to justice and accountability.
During the nine-month fellowship, fellows will have the opportunity to participate in four major in-person workshops at Chiang Mai University, while some activities will be organized online, accompanied by close and continuous mentorship from the team. The output of the fellowship resulted in a paper. Three to five out of the twenty emerging fellows who attend the first two workshops, and whose research proposals are successfully selected by the committee, will receive a research grant. These fellows will also have the opportunity to attend advanced workshops on research methodology and research writing, and to present their papers at the International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies 2026 (ICBMS 2026) or other relevant conferences.
Applicants who are engaged in a wide range of topics—such as human rights, environmental and resource justice, indigenous rights, gender, and other areas that intersect with the concept of transitional justice are welcome.
Fellowship components
This 9-month fellowship combines:
- In-person workshops
- Online learning
- Research mentorship
- Academic writing support
- Opportunities to present at ICBMS 2026
- Publication pathways
Fellows will receive the following support:
- Accommodation during in-person workshops
- Logistics support (meals, training materials, and local transportation)
- Daily allowance on in-person training days
- Communication fee support during online training periods
- A limited number of small research grants (of about 800 – 1,500 USD) will also be awarded to selected proposals.
Fellowship Period
February – September 2026
Program structure
Selected fellows will participate in a structured program that includes:
- 2-4th February 2026: On-site 3-day in-person TJ Foundation and Advanced Workshops
- Mid February 2026: Online 3-day Intensive Case Study Sessions
- March 2026: On-site 3-day in-person Academic and Research Methodology Training
- April 2026: On-site TJ and Ethics Workshop
- May 2026: On-site Mentored roundtable presentations
- June 2026: Full research paper development
- 14-17 August 2026: Presentation at ICBMS 2026
- September 2026: On-site Publication and Dissemination Support to the respective stakeholders
Eligible application
We warmly welcome applications from individuals currently residing in Thailand, especially those from Myanmar and Thailand, including:
- Early-career researchers and academics
- University students and youth leaders
- Civil society practitioners, documenters, and human rights workers
- Individuals with a strong interest in TJ, human rights, and community-based research
- Participants must be able to attend in-person activities in Chiang Mai.
Note: No visa sponsorship or living allowance is provided. However, a daily allowance and local transportation will be provided for fellows during in-person workshops in Chiang Mai, and an internet allowance will be provided for fellows participating in online sessions.
How to Apply
Applicants will need to submit:
- Application form
- Statement of interest
- A short, or two-page CV
- Short research idea (500–700 words)
- Abstract of current work (project or research) that can be interpreted through a transitional justice lens, linking to intersecting issues (optional; 500–700 words).
Begin the application process online here
Applicant Booklet (read online here)
Application Deadline: 20th January 2026
Notification of selection: 25th January 2026
For inquiries, please contact: kyawlwin@asia-ajar.org and cc: office@rcsd-cmu.com, burma@asia-ajar.org
Be part of a new generation of researchers working toward justice, accountability, and a better future.